Friday, May 6, 2011

Moxie...and then some

In all my travels over the years, I've had the great honor to meet and befriend many artists. Of all kinds. Musicians, singers, painters, writers, actors, etc. Of them all, my absolute favorite is a woman named Alba Nelly Urbina. She is, without question, one of the most talented people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. Over the course of the past two decades, I have watched as this woman came into her own, blossoming as only a true artist can. She is as fearless as she is creative. She is passionate and inventive. Best of all...she is love personified. This is a lady whose light shines wherever she goes (and then some!)

Alba is not your ordinary metalsmith. She began working with metals some 18 years ago while studying the art of silversmithing. From there she went on to master techniques using other precious metals, such as gold and platinum. The creations that ensued were nothing less than stunning. Her knowledge of metals along with her eye for just the perfect gemstones made for the perfect birthing of pieces that befit even the most discriminating collectors. In short, Alba is a Master Jeweler.

It wasn't until she began her quest to master the art of blacksmithing that I realized she'd only touched to surface of her talent. It's one thing to work with silver and gold. It is an entirely different matter to work with steel. Watching her as she heats and bends and twists and cuts these seemingly immovable metals is truly a sight to behold. It's as if she has some kind of power over the metal; as if she has a team of unseen Others laboring beside her as she turns the steel into magnificent pieces of art. I have witnessed this magick on many occasions. Still, it leaves me in awe when the piece has been finished. I can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact that she does what she does. On more than one occasion, I found tears falling down my face at the sheer beauty of her work. NOT kidding.

Why am I going on about all this now? Well, it seems that my talented friend has stepped it up once again. She recently released a video to share a glimpse of her work with the world. This particular video is specifically about her blacksmithing works; the name of that company is (you're gonna LOVE this!) MOXIE METAL. You can watch that video HERE.

Moxie Metal is not your ordinary metal sculpture. Alba makes jewelry displays/holders for retailers as well as for plain ol' folk like us. She also makes home decor pieces like coat racks and hat racks and candleabras and...well, you just need to go see for yourself. You can find her Moxie Metal shop HERE.

And, lest I forget, there is one more amazing service she offers. Alba Nelly Urbina is the Master Jeweler for Wedding Ring Workshop in the San Francisco Bay area. These workshops are held (by appointment) in her sunny studio in Oakland. It is called a "wedding ring experience", whereby the couple can build their rings, with her assistance and supervision, from "scratch". In other words, they pick the metal they wish to use (gold, platinum, etc.) and she shows them precisely how to turn their visions into reality. Yet another of the many gifts she shares with the world. For more information please click HERE. (and, by the way, it's not just for wedding rings. It can be any occasion where one might wish to create their own rings, whether it is anniversary, Sacred Union, etc.)

So then...I hope you will take the time to have a look at this marvelous Creator. You might just find the "perfect" something...even if you didn't know you were looking for it!

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A Blossoming Being

Life can be as joy-filled or terrifying as we think it to be. In other words, what we think is what we LIVE. Any way you look at it, it's all about CHOICES. And, it is this Blossoming Being's opinion that JOY is the ONLY choice. No matter where you are or what you are facing today, if you look in the direction of JOY, everything will change. Well...maybe not everything. But I can promise you this: Joy is a CHOICE. Suffering is OPTIONAL. You make the call.